Top 10 USA Twitter Trends of the Week, Vol 71 by HootSuite and Ad Age

While Miley Cyrus twerked herself into the tabloids, western powers discussed whether to intervene in Syria against the UN’s pleas. And while Twitterers suggested that their cat could play a #BetterBatmanThanBenAffleck, Microsoft lost a powerhouse CEO that failed to go mobile. Check out this week’s bag of mixed nuts (Miley the nuttiest) that we like to call USA Twitter Trends of the Week.

#1: Miley Cyrus

Unless you live offline (which is impossible because you’re reading this), you’ve at least seen a funny gif, video, Tweet or meme of Miley Cyrus’ VMA performance this week. Her booty shaking and tongue wagging on stage has stirred up a massive controversy over inappropriate public “performances.” Although she stole the show in a matter of minutes, people around the world spent the better part of this week hating on her because of it. But maybe this is exactly what she (and her brilliant marketing team) wanted.

#2: VMAs

Miley clearly stole the show with her questionable twerks and “dance moves” thus keeping the VMAs trending across the States. But, gathering a massive collection of all the hottest young pop stars like Selena Gomez, Bieber, Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Kanye West is bound to gain significant momentum on Twitter. From discussing the awards, performances and, of course, the Red Carpet outfits, Twitterers couldn’t help but stick #VMAs into their tweets all week.

#3: #BetterBatmanThanBenAffleck

My cat could play a #BetterBatmanThanBenAffleck and other combinations of funny Tweets tended to trend on Twitter after this week’s “big announcement.” You guessed it. Apparently Ben Affleck will be playing Batman in the upcoming Warner Bros. film Man of Steel 2. And although met with unanimous criticism online, some awesome jokes surfaced: “In the new Ben Affleck version, the Batmobile is just a beige Prius.” Whether he’ll be a good Batman or not seems pretty redundant to Twitterers at this point.

Who do you think played a #BetterBatmanThanBenAffleck could? Michael Keaton? Christian Bale? Val Kilmer?

#4: #RIPOneDirection

Possibly created by trolls and 1D-haters, the hashtag #RIPOneDirection started picking up momentum earlier this week. As One Direction fans began defending their favorite pop star boy band, it (surprise, surprise) spiralled out of control.

#5: Syria

Western leaders have charged this week that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government fired deadly chemical weapons on civilians near Damascus last week. And while world leaders appear to be moving toward a strike against Assad’s regime, the UN chief pleaded for more time as UN inspectors have not endorsed the allegations. Considering that all decisions and information significantly affect everyone around the world, Syria has been a major global topic of discussion in the news and on social.

Here’s what U.S. Secretary of State has to say:

#6: I Have a Dream

As world powers meet behind closed doors to discuss Syria, thousands celebrated Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘I Have a Dream’ 50th Anniversary speech with Obama and Bill Clinton. Now one of the most famous speeches, King’s words are considered the pinnacle of the American Civil Rights Movement. In commemoration of his dedication, the nation’s first African-American president, delivered a speech of his own on the same steps.

Here is Martin Luther King Jr’s speech from August 28, 1963:

#7: Steve Ballmer

Microsoft CEO and former right-hand-man of the beloved Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer announced this week that he will be retiring. For many, this is huge news. Ballmer’s 13 years as CEO has been a rather tumultuous one, with employees leaving for competitors like Google and online sources trashing his every move, including management style. But despite tripling Microsoft’s annual sales (we’re talking billions annually), he could never quite jump the hurdle that is mobile phones, tablets and search in particular. So as one of perhaps the most successful CEO’s leaves the world’s biggest software company, Twitterers around the world are left with the question: what’s next for Microsoft?

Will fresh ideas give the age-old giant the jolt it needs to join the 21st-century world of mobiles and tablets? Your guess is as good as ours.

#8: Today Show

Last week, boy “heartthrobs” One Direction appeared on the Today Show drawing “the biggest crowd we’ve ever had [in Rockefeller Center, NYC].” The boys sang their popular hit “What Makes You Beautiful” to 18,000 screaming teens on the Today Show stage and had the show trending ever since. Go figure.

#9: Prison Break

Last week, Prison Break TV show actor Wentworth Miller came out as gay in a letter to the organizers of St. Petersburg International Film Festival in Russia to explain his decline for attending the event. Since then, the TV show has continued to trend as fans discuss the news, support Miller and tweet about the show itself.

“I am deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment of gay men and women by the Russian government. The situation is in no way acceptable, and I cannot in good conscience participate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like myself are being systematically denied their basic right to live and love openly” – Wentworth Miller.

Good on you.

#10: Go BERZERK

Eminem just released a new single called BERZERK. Think 90s mashup mix with mediocre hip hop rhymes that are slightly reminiscent of a past Slim Shady. That’s all I have to say.